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How can we do greater things than Jesus did?

John 14:12 reads I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 

When Jesus dwelt on Earth He did many great things: He raised the dead; healed the sick; delivered those who were demon possessed; multiplied fish and bread; turned water into wine; spoke a word and a fig tree withered, walked on water, etc.

According to John 14:12 we should not only match what Jesus has done, but do even greater things than what He, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords did.

Yes, we pray for the sick; some get healed and some don't. We pray for those who are tortured by demon spirits and they get delivered. I have not yet heard of any Christians besides those mentioned in the Bible who were able to raise the dead to life, and I have yet to see a believer turn water into wine, walk on water etc.

John 14:12 starts with the words I tell you the truth - with other words, we really should be able to do what Christ said we would do if we had faith. The question now seems to be: is our faith so weak that we can't even do what Christ did; never mind doing more than He was able to do?

Many Christians today seem to concentrate on the physical manifestations of the miracles Christ did  things He did as signs in order to show unbelievers what He was capable of. In truth, Jesus said we would do greater things than mere physical miracles.

There was something which even Christ was unable to do while He was still dwelling on Earth  something that couldn't be done until He had returned to the Father: He couldn't bring the message of salvation to a lost and dying world because He had not yet been sacrificed to redeem us from our sins.

Those of us who believe in Him, can.

Surely spreading the Gospel which leads to people receiving eternal life in Christ is much greater than healing someone of a physical ailment? Raising the dead to life is nothing compared to leading those dead in sin to everlasting life by reaching the lost for Christ.

Let us therefore continue to do what Jesus expects of us by doing even greater things than He did: let us be His instruments and bring the Gospel to those who are lost and on their way to hell.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (NASB)